REAL ID Update For PA Residents As Deadline Approaches

PENNSYLVANIA — To help ensure people are prepared for the upcoming federal REAL IDenforcement deadline of May 7, PennDOT will hold special REAL ID service hours at six driver's license centers across the state next week.

The REAL ID events will occur Monday, Feb. 24 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. During them, the centers will exclusively process the REAL ID cards.

“PennDOT is committed to making it as convenient as possible for Pennsylvanians to obtain a REAL ID if they want one,” PennDOT Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services Kara Templeton said in a statement. “Because we’re seeing an increase in demand, we decided to offer our REAL ID Days as a way to ensure we are meeting the needs of the public and providing them with the best possible customer service.”

The REAL ID events will be held at the following locations:

• Butler Driver License Center at 158 Point Plaza, Butler
• Washington Driver License Center at 250 Oak Springs Road, Washington
• Lebanon Driver License Center at 900 East Old Cumberland Street
• Lehighton Driver License Center at 1403 Blakeslee Boulevard, Lehighton
• Bensalem Driver License Center at 4201 Neshaminy Boulevard, Bensalem
• Easton Driver License Center at 2473 Nazareth Road, Easton

More than 700 IDs have been processed so far on REAL ID Days, which are held on Mondays when the centers are typically closed. Centers still will be open during their normal hours and people can also get a REAL ID or conduct other driver license business during that time.

REAL ID Days will occur weekly at various centers across the state until the May 7 enforcement date.

More than 2.5 million Pennsylvania residents already have opted into the REAL ID program. Getting one is optional, but beginning May 7, you will need a REAL ID-compliant license/identification card, or another form of federally acceptable identification, such as a valid passport or military ID to:

• Board domestic commercial flights.
• Enter a military base.
• Enter certain federal facilities that require a federally acceptable form of ID.

Federal REAL IDregulations require PennDOT to verify these documents:

• Proof of identity, such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the State Office of Vital Records/Statistics with a raised/embossed seal, or a valid, unexpired U.S. passport.
• Proof of a social security number. The proof must display currently legal name and full nine digits of the social security number. Examples include a social security card, a W-2 form, a SSA-1099 form, a non-SSA-1099 form or a pay stub.
• Two proofs of current, physical Pennsylvania address. Examples include a current, unexpired Pennsylvania driver's license or identification card, vehicle registration, or a utility bill with the same name and address.
• Proof of all legal name changes, if the current legal name is different than what is reflected on proof of identity document. Examples include certified marriage certificate(s) issued by the county court for each marriage, court order(s) approving a change in legal name, or adoption decree issued by your county's family court.

More information about REAL ID document requirements can be found on PennDOT’s REAL ID website.